It’s that time of year again: the leaves are changing and the temperatures are dropping. If you have a boat with an outboard motor, chances are you’re wondering if you need to winterize your motor before storing it over the winter. The short answer is yes! While most people don’t give their outboard motors much thought during the summer months, they’re actually quite susceptible to damage when left outside in cold weather. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your engine is properly prepared for storage before putting it away for another year or two.
Does a 4 stroke outboard motors need to be winterized?
Many people believe that their 4 stroke outboard motor needs to be winterized, but this is not true. The reason for this misconception is that 4 stroke motors are more efficient and require less maintenance than 2 stroke engines. However, there are several benefits associated with using a two-stroke engine:
- They’re more powerful than four strokes because they can produce propane outboard motor more power with less pollution and fuel consumption.
- They’re cheaper than four strokes because they don’t require as much maintenance or replacement parts like spark plugs and filters (which cost hundreds of dollars). If you do decide on getting yourself a two-stroke boat engine then make sure you follow these steps before storing it away for winter!
One of the most important things to remember is that you need to completely drain your fuel tank. You can do this by connecting a hose to your boat’s fuel intake line or drain plug and then running it into a bucket or other container. Next, put some water in the gas tank so that any remaining gas will mix with water instead of air (which causes explosions). After this, turn on the engine and let it run until it dies out naturally—this will ensure that all of the fuel has been removed from your system.
Do 2 stroke outboard motors need to be winterized?
A 2 stroke outboard motor is not the same as a 4 stroke outboard motor.
You should never winterize a 2 stroke engine, even if it has an electric start.
2 Stroke engines have no oiling system, so in cold weather with no water flowing through the engine and mixing with fuel to lubricate it properly, you could get stuck with an expensive repair bill or worse–your boat won’t start outboard motor electric!
If you have an older model boat with a 2-stroke engine: remove any gasoline from inside your boat before storing it for the winter months so fumes don’t build up during storage (and make sure there are no leaks).
If you have a newer boat with a 4-stroke engine: remove any gasoline from inside your boat before storing it for the winter months so fumes don’t build up during storage (and make sure there are no leaks).
Do outboard boat motors need to be winterized?
Outboard boat motors are more sensitive to cold weather than car engines. They should be winterized to prevent damage to the engine, especially if you live in a climate that gets cold during winter months.
Outboard boat motors are more expensive than car engines and require more maintenance, so it’s important for owners to know how best to care for them throughout the year parts of an outboard engine.
The first step to winterize your best outboard motor is to drain all of the fuel from it. This can be done by removing the gas tank cap and letting gravity drain out all of the liquid fuel left in the tank.
Section: Check Your Engine Service Manual.
When you’re winterizing a boat engine, it’s important to check your engine service manual first. If you don’t have one, they are usually available online. You can also find instructions on how to winterize a boat engine online (just Google “how do I winterize my outboard boat motor”).
Before you start the process of changing the oil in your engine and winterizing it, make sure that:
- You have all of the tools and supplies needed for this task.
- You know how much oil is recommended by your manufacturer (and follow those instructions).
It may help if someone else is around who knows what he/she is doing when working with gasoline engines or other dangerous equipment so that there are no accidents during this process!
You have a way to drain the old oil out of your engine (a pump, or using a jar and funnel). You have some means of disposing of the used oil responsibly, such as leaving it at a gas station or calling your local waste management office.
Change Engine Oil and Oil Filter.
To ensure that your motor is running at peak performance, you should change the engine oil and oil filter every 100 hours of use. If you’re using your boat more often than that, it’s a good idea to change them sooner for example a 25hp outboard motor.
The oil should be changed once per year–and don’t forget to replace the old filter! The manufacturer will have recommendations for what type of fluid needs to be used in order for their engines to operate safely and efficiently. For example: Yamaha recommends 10W30 synthetic motor oil in all two-stroke outboard motors except those with direct injection technology (which require 5W20). Consult your owner’s manual or call customer service if you’re unsure what kind of fluid is required by your specific model.
When changing your oil, make sure to use a funnel to prevent any messes. If you are using the correct filter for your engine, there should be an arrow on it indicating which direction the filter should be installed (this is true of all filters).
Section: Flush the Engine.
Flushing the engine is the first step in winterizing your boat. You’ll want to do it before you put your boat away for the season so that all of the water left over from summertime use is removed from inside the motor.
If you’re not familiar with how to flush an outboard motor, there are plenty of videos online that will show you how (and even if you know what’s going on, they might be helpful). There are also various types of flushers available–you can buy them individually or as part of a kit with other parts needed for winterization.
Flushing an outboard isn’t difficult; however, it can be messy and time-consuming depending on how long since it last flushed or how much gunk has built up inside. If this is something new to you, we recommend starting small–with only one side first until comfortable enough to work around moving parts before tackling both sides at once!
When you’re done flushing the engine, it’s time for some cleaning. You’ll want to use a scrub brush and soapy water to remove any dirt or grime that is left behind from the flushing process. Then rinse everything well with clean water before continuing on to step two.
Fill Gas Tank and Use Fuel Stabilizer.
Fill the gas tank and use a fuel stabilizer.
Fuel stabilizers are available at most marine supply stores, auto parts stores, and hardware stores. These products work by preventing water from entering your engine’s fuel system. They also prevent condensation from forming in the tank as well as rusting out your boat’s internal components. Fill up your boat with regular unleaded gasoline before winterizing it to ensure that there isn’t any residual water in the tank when you begin using the fuel stabilizer (which could cause damage). You should always follow manufacturer instructions when using these products; if there aren’t any instructions on how much product to add or how often to use them, check with a professional before proceeding!
Use an alcohol-based fuel stabilizer to prevent water from entering the tank. This type of product works by preventing condensation from forming in the gas tank and also keeps rust away from internal engine components.
Section: Fog the Engine with Lubricant.
Fogging is important because it helps to lubricate moving parts and keep them from wearing down. The right amount of fogging oil will also help protect your engine from moisture and rust.
- Use a fogging oil that has been specifically formulated for an outboard motor. It’s best if you use one recommended by the manufacturer of your boat or motor, but any high-quality brand will do (and remember: not all oils are created equal).
- Don’t overfill the engine with fogging oil–this can lead to leaks or even an explosion! Make sure there’s about 1/4 inch between the top surface of the liquid and the bottom edge of the fill hole when filling up with new fluid so as not to spill any onto spark plugs–they’ll get wet enough just being submerged in water! If there isn’t enough room left inside after adding new fluids then remove some old ones first before adding fresh ones instead.”
Store Engine in Trimmed Down Position
- Store Engine in Trimmed Down Position
It’s important to store your outboard motor in a trimmed-down position so that the propeller is not exposed. This protects the prop from damage and helps prevent corrosion. To trim down your outboard motor, follow these steps:
- 1) Remove any fuel line connections that are loose or damaged.
- 2) Disconnect all electrical connections from battery terminals and other components of the electrical system (such as switches).
3) Place the outboard motor in a vertical position. 4) Move the throttle control to the idle position and hold it there with a soft strap or bungee cord so that it doesn’t move when you are removing other connections. 5) Unscrew the two bolts located on either side of the trim handle (which is located near the top of your motor). 6) Remove the trim handle by pulling up on it firmly while removing any remaining fasteners as needed.
How many hours does a typical outboard motor last?
Well-maintained inboard engines, inboard outboard engines (unless diesel), and outboards have a serviceable, average life of about 1500 – 2000 hours. If you’re looking at a gas-fueled marine engine close to or exceeding 1000 hours, inboard or outboard, proceed with caution.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ins and outs of winterizing your boat, it’s time to get started! Remember that this is a process that requires some time and effort on your part. However, if done correctly, it will ensure that your boat engine stays safe through even the harshest weather conditions.